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All or Nothing- Not So

Parting With Stuff One Step at a Time

Letting Go of Clutter 

I recently watched my first full episode of Clean House. Now I know many people love that show and many people ask me if I watch it. So finally on Memorial Day evening I sat down and watched an episode. If you’re a fan of the show, please know I agree that it is entertaining. However, the episode I watched  rubbed me the wrong way. The problems I had with the show is how they spoke to and dealt with the client/homeowner. Repeatedly, the host and the “unprofessional” team of organizers used, in my opinion, offensive, drastic, and threatening ultimatums with the homeowners.

Yes, with any organizing, there are tough decisions to be made and opposition from the homeowner can arise. However, how a professional organizer handles these situations can and should vary. I’m sure the TV crew don’t call themselves Certified Professional Organizers, however, I think they need to think twice how they treat people. Several times they used the phrase “all or nothing.” I don’t agree. If there is a valid collection or grouping of things such as puzzles, books, clothes, shoes, purses, etc. we address pairing it down- not tossing all of it. In my experience, as we pair things down or cull out items and as time passes, the homeowners see and understand the organizing process better. Often as the time passes, they’re more apt to agree with me to get rid of more or as some say “they see the light” and then get fully onboard. Letting go of clutter is a process. 

This process is especially important when we are grieving from a divorce or loss of a loved one. Slowly over time, it’s easier to part with things and healing has to start before a room or section of a house is emptied and organized. 

What do you have trouble parting with? How do you plan to look at the stuff differently to pair down? 

Visitor Comments:

I totally agree. While I believe in “pairing down", I also believe that if you have excess, then you should just determine what items you use the most and keep them versus throwing out everything. If you’re reducing just to fit stuff back into a space there are ways to decide what to keep versus getting rid of than just letting it go. I always believed you organize and keep what brings you the most joy, and find a storage solution based upon that, not the other way around. Excellent post, Amber! :)

I totally agree. While I believe in “pairing down", I also believe that if you have excess, then you should just determine what items you use the most and keep them versus throwing out everything. If you’re reducing just to fit stuff back into a space there are ways to decide what to keep versus getting rid of than just letting it go. I always believed you organize and keep what brings you the most joy, and find a storage solution based upon that, not the other way around. Excellent post, Amber! :)

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